Published : 2025-09-30

The Core Essence of Solidarism

Section: Articles Varia

Abstract

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to define the essence of the idea of solidarism.

THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: Definitions of solidarism, as a current of social thought, emphasize the commonality of interests and the necessity of cooperation among the subjects of social life. Is this formulation precise and exhaustive? Are there additional aspects that distinguish soli­darism? A critical analysis of the semantic contexts in which the concept appears is conducted, followed by a comparative analysis of solidarism as interpreted by its two main currents: secular and Christian.

THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: Solidarism comprises two primary currents: the secular, which is rooted in biological, sociological, and utilitarian arguments; and the Christian, which embeds the principle of solidarity within the social doctrine of the Church. Attempt to encompass both currents within a unified definition highlights the need to identify their shared elements  – the core essence of solidarism.

RESEARCH RESULTS: Based on this analysis, solidarism can be defined as a current of social thought that recognizes cooperation as the fundamental mechanism and binding force of social life. It emphasizes the ethical dimension of all relationships within socio-economic life and underscores the importance of preserving both individual autonomy and the vitality of social associations, from the family to the state. In a narrower sense, it refers to a socio-economic system aligned with the doctrine of the Church.

CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Christian solidarism offers systemic solutions that present a viable alternative to the liberal order. Restoring its full relevance requires reevaluating its relationship with the concept of corporatism and applying its proposed methodological framework to address contemporary challenges.

Keywords

solidaryzm, solidaryzm chrześcijański, solidarność, spoiwo społeczne, trzecia droga ; solidarism, Christian solidarism, solidarity, social cohesion, third way



Details

References

Indicators

Authors

Download files

PDF (Język Polski)

Altmetric indicators


Licence

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a CC BY-ND licence that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are asked to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

 

Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access). We advise to use any of the following reserach society portals:


Redakcja czasopisma
Horyzonty Polityki

email: horyzonty@ignatianum.edu.pl
email: horyzonty.polityki@ignatianum.edu.pl
tel. +48 12 3999 651
O platformie:
Copyright 2019 by Uniwersytet Ignatianum w Krakowie
OJS Support and Customization by LIBCOM
Platform & workfow by OJS/PKP